Television: His Dark Materials - Language and Representation

Language and close-textual analysis

1) Write an analysis of the episode - using your notes from the screening in class. Make specific, detailed reference to moments in the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots and movement, editing, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)


Camerawork, editing and sound: 

Mise-en-scene:

Narrative and genre: 

You can access our notes from the close-textual analysis in a previous class here - you'll need your Greenford Google login to open this.

2) How does His Dark Materials fit the conventions of the fantasy TV genre?
His Dark Materials fits into the convention of a fantasy genre TV because it blends with the elements of science fiction and adventure. This is because the TV show establishes a parallel universe and quests that reinforce a fantasy genre. The series also explores complex themes such as free will and destiny, and the battle between good and evil.

3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do some of the main characters in His Dark Materials fit into? 
-Lyra as the hero
-Mrs Coulter as the villain
-Pan and Will as the helpers

4) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in His Dark Materials? Make specific, detailed reference to the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

-Lyra running to find other people on the land: This shows Lyra's characteristics of being rebellious and dominant. The use of fast-paced editing and lower camera angles builds suspense in this scene

-Mrs Couter being presented in a low angle shows the audience that she already has dominance and power without her having to show she was powerful

5) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in His Dark Materials? How do these create narrative or drama for the audience? You can find reminder notes on all these narrative theories here - just scroll down to narrative. 
Through Good vs Evil: This is shown through Mrs Coulter torturing her prisoners to get answers, which builds drama towards the audience, giving them the idea that she is negatively using her power. Through this, the audience sees how suspense is built with her character and her characteristics


Representations

1) How are women represented in His Dark Materials? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted? Think about Lyra and Mrs Coulter here.
In His Dark Materials, Lyra is shown crying in a cave, which reinforces stereotypes towards her gender as being quite sensitive, emotional and pure. However, towards this episode, she starts to subvert stereotypes as her being quite pure and emotional to being quite adventurous and dominant. This is shown when she meets Will and acts upon him with more power and she also calls him a "kitchen boy" which shows she has power over him. She also shows herself that she is more brave and commited than will, making herself represent more masculine than femenine as she requires skills that are typically represented for men.

2) How are men and masculinity represented in His Dark Materials? Think about Will and Lee Scoresby here.

The representation of men is quite subverted. This is shown through an example of will, as he is presented as quite pure and a kitchen boy. The use of the term kitchen boy subverts masculinity as most people see the work of being in a kitchen for females. Another example is through the workers of Mrs Coutler. This is because they are presented as weak and lacking freedom as they follow everything they hear and do from Mrs Coutler which makes them being represented as vulnerable and easily taken advantage of. 

3) How is age (e.g. teenagers; adults) represented in His Dark Materials? Does the show reinforce or challenge stereotypes about young people? Think about Lyra and Will plus the abandoned children they meet. Also think about Mrs Coulter and other adults.

Representation for age is equally balanced out with both subverted and reinforced stereotypes. For example Mrs Coutler being represented with dominance and potency reinforces stereotypes as she is middle aged which shows that since she is older she has more power compared to anyone below or younger her age. However stereotypes are subverted through the character Lyra. Despite her being a young teenage girl her mentality represented in the first episode is quite contrasting. This is because she makes herself have the mentality of an adult which makes her adventurous.

4) How is race and ethnicity represented in His Dark Materials? Are stereotypes reinforced or subverted?
In His Dark Materials, stereotypes about race and ethnicity are both equally reinforced and subverted.An example of a reinforced stereotype is shown from Mrs Coulter being a white woman with power as she acts above her workers, which reinforces the stereotypes of white people being superior. However, stereotypes are reinforced

5) What representations of the world can you find in the episode - is it like real life? A fantasy world? Something from the past or future? Give examples from the episode.
The representation of the world through His Dark Materials are equally balanced with both real life and the fantasy world. This is because they both show fairness and unfairness just like the real world and how its not easy to get everything you want. However they also show fantasy world as they have talking animals and humans with power which shows its paranormal.

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